For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
